If you read an older study guide or talk to a coder who certified years ago, you may hear that the CPC exam is 150 questions and takes almost six hours. That was true once. It is not true today. Here is how the exam changed and what you will actually face on test day.
How the CPC Exam Used to Work
Before 2022, the CPC exam had 150 multiple choice questions and candidates had 5 hours and 40 minutes to finish. It was a long, draining day, and stamina mattered almost as much as coding knowledge.
What Changed in 2022
In 2022, AAPC shortened its certification exams. The CPC dropped to 100 questions with a 4 hour time limit. AAPC kept the same content areas and passing standard while reducing fatigue. For a period after the change, the online version was split into two sittings of two hours each.
The CPC Exam Today
- 100 multiple choice questions
- 4 hours, in one sitting. The online exam is no longer split into two parts.
- 70% required to pass
- Open book. AMA CPT Professional Edition, plus your choice of ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II.
- In person or online with a live remote proctor
- Results in 7 to 10 business days
Exam pricing changes, so check current fees on AAPC’s website when you are ready to schedule.
What This Means for Your Study Plan
Fewer questions does not mean an easier exam. You have about 2 minutes and 24 seconds per question, and the case questions take longer than that. Practice under timed conditions, know your code books cold, and learn the guidelines at the front of each section.
For the full breakdown of topics and question counts, read Everything You Need to Know About the CPC Exam and What Is on the AAPC CPC Exam in 2026. Deciding where to test? See taking the CPC exam online vs in person.
Ready to prepare with an instructor? See our CPC training program.
This article is part of our CPC exam prep study hub, with everything you need to prepare for and pass the CPC exam.